USFSA - new Future Champions Series program :D

[pennskater]

The USFSA is implementing a new program - Future Champion Series. It is for Juv, Int and Novice skaters to keep them from dropping out of skating. (see usfsa.org)
How it works: Points are assigned to competitors at selected Non-Qualifying events (these will rotate every year to different events) based on placement at the event, factored by the number of competitors. A 3rd place finish in a group of 18 will score higher than a 2nd in a group of 4.
Points are NOT awarded to:
- competitors who MEDALED at Junior Nationals (juv/int only)
- any Novice competitor at Nationals (not just medalists)
- any NACS competitor (juv/int that didn't medal at JN's)
- short programs are not included in totals unless the short program and long program are combined in the scoring of the event
I think it's a good idea.
My only complaint is that they should extend the rule to NOT award points to ANY junior nationals SINGLES competitors (as done with Novice) but keep pairs & dance as is. It is so hard to make Junior Nationals because there are over 100 competitors to beat in some larger regions. Just making it to nationals should be their reward. This program is supposed to be for kids thinking of dropping out - I doubt that many kids that made it to JN's are thinking of dropping out of skating.
Statistically, the kids making it to junior nationals are in the top 5-10% in the nation. The medalists are in the top 1%. If a juv/int skater knows that the kids that simply did not medal are competing against them, there is not much incentive with this new program to keep trying. If they want this new program to work it has to be much more attractive, especially for singles skaters. If they want to keep it to just the medalists for dance and pairs, that would be fine (since there isn't as much competition at that level), but at singles it doesn't make sense.
Any comments?

[kar5162]

I think I understand what you're saying, but don't most kids who go to Jr Nats move up? I do know of one who isn't, but I had assumed he was in the minority.

At any rate, there doesn't seem to be much to the program, so I'm not sure how effective it's going to be. My guess is the people who are going to "do well" and get the FSC medals are going to be the people who are placing 5-18 at Regionals - at least making it to the final round. Somehow I think those aren't so much the kids who drop out, but it's more the kids who don't make final round and it doesn't seem like they're really going to benefit with this program...unless the certificate for participation motivates them, which doesn't seem likely to me.

My guess is you're still going to see the top 10-20 kids in each region doing well in terms of points total. I'm thinking of a Juvenile girl who did well at North Atlantics last year, but didn't quite make Jr. Nat. She's still competeing in Juvenile and winning just about everything she enters - but I don't really think she's the skater the USFSA is trying to reach here).

Still, it sounds like especially for boys who are have smaller groups and fewer competitions, it should work well.

Kim

[Dave Amorde]

I think the whole idea is ridiculous. Will the "advanced" skaters be barred from entering these competitions? If not, won't the same skaters still be on the podium? So, some kids who come in 5th, 6th, & 10th get "points?"
If the higher ranked skaters are barred, the other kids will certainly know it.
Year after year, I see plenty of excellent skaters compete at Regionals and the larger club comps who never reach the podium. Most are quite good - I know it, they know it, their parents know it. Those skaters still skate despite their lack of regional medals, simply because they love the sport. If they don't love what they are doing, why do it? If these skaters still fail to earn points in this series, should they then quit? Any skater who isn't gratified simply by passing the next test probably needs to reevaluate their priorities.
In any case, I'm willing to bet that far more skaters drop out because of money related stresses than a lack of competitive success. Most skaters have to carefully select which competitions they enter, because of the related expenses. Won't this new series create additional pressures to travel and spend money? Perhaps I'm missing something.

[Lee]

Ummm...what do these skaters GET with their points? I don't think I've seen that yet -- and no, I haven't gone to the USFSA site to look.

I think (as an uninvolved Canuck) I agree with what Dave's saying. Most of those skaters who continue to compete despite never cracking the top 5 or the podium or what-have-you continue to do so just because they love to compete. If they don't love it, they stop competing.

The only possibility I see for this is some kind of 'dual-track' system -- these points are only going to be awarded at events where the 'elite' skaters won't be permitted to enter. Of course, [i:468706461f]everyone[/i:468706461f] will know this is the 'lesser' track (kinda like the National Interclub in Canada), but if that's what the USFSA has in mind, then there might be some possibilities there too.

It will be interesting to hear how this works out...

[pennskater]

I totally agree Dave. It will create pressure to attend those designated competitions, and it will be the same kids on the podium. Kids winning this award will be the 4th and 5th place kids from regionals. What about the other 100 skaters? They are the ones dropping out. Not the top 10.
This new program is not much of an incentive for singles ladies skaters. The boys, pairs and dance could be more interested in this, as there is less competition numbers wise, but like you said, it's not going to keep kids in the sport.
I also think it's going to hurt the local competitions that are NOT selected for the points system for that year. Already, local competitions are finding it difficult to attract 100 skaters.
The one good thing is that it will help pairs and dance teams. By designating events as the ones to attend for that year, pairs and dance teams that want exposure will be more likely to attend those events. Right now they apply for a local event to find they have to do an exhibition (no other entries).
If it's used to 'seed' the skaters (which they said they wouldn't do), then it will be of some use to the USFSA. But the purpose of keeping kids in the sport isn't going to be met with this program. It's the MONEY!!!! And not even being CLOSE to winning (below top 10) that drives kids out of the program.
Why doesn't the USFSA refund regionals entry fees to certain skaters based on their rankings at regionals? To make it fair, they could refund the top 20% in all disciplines (ie. top 20 in ladies singles - 100 skaters, but only top 2 in mens - 10 skaters). At least they would be getting the $100 or more they spent in entry fees. It's not much, but a nice incentive.

[Hidden Agenda]

Number One: I think the majority of kids quit when they fail to get a double axel. Period. An Intermediate skater (girl or boy) may make it to Junior Nationals (not saying they will do well once there) without one, but forget Sectionals as a Novice.

Number Two: A kid can skate and call themselves a serious competitor up through Intermediate without devoting their life to it, but much past that, and you start giving up some pretty major social - teenage things to be successful (plus things most of us take for granted, like vacations as a family that don't involve seeing the inside of yet another ice rink). How many people are willing to do this given the slim chances everyone has already pointed out of really [i:1f1c21290e]making it[/i:1f1c21290e]? The option of skating with a goal of passing all the USFSA tests starts looking really attractive to kids once they realize what they are going to have to sacrifice in terms of normal teenage life if they want to be [u:1f1c21290e]competitive [/u:1f1c21290e]in the narrowest definition of the word.

Number Three: Kids who have not already achieved [i:1f1c21290e]success[/i:1f1c21290e] by the Novice level have also probably reached an age when they need to start thinking seriously about future goals as regards college and career. Again, are they going to give up the high school focus and activities that will help them get into the better colleges so that they can devote most of their free time to skating [i:1f1c21290e]knowing it is going to end up being at most a hobby, anyway?
[/i:1f1c21290e]

[b:1f1c21290e]Number Four (maybe should be number one): Expense, expense, expense. In the broadest definition of the word, and I'm not just talking financially.[/b:1f1c21290e]

I am glad USFSA is at least addressing the huge drop off in competitive participation, and hope for the best. They recognize areas that need change and try new things. We should all be supportive, and I intend to at least adopt a wait and see attitude about the new program. If it encourages a few skaters to hang in there a little longer, then it has worked, as far as I am concerned.

[Artistic Skaters]

I agree in theory with the USFSA coming up with a program to provide additional opportunities to skaters in the tier below Jr Nationals level. But I agree with you pennskater, it still needs some more research & fine tuning, because as usual this will provide more opportunities for skaters in dance & pairs, but not really more for singles. Nothing new there.